"Friends at Home" Issue #1
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Friends at Home
The "Friends at Home" story series is a collection of interviews highlighting the amazing relationships cultivated between Friends of Cyrus clients, families, and staff. In our first issue, we will be focusing on a day in the life of a client and their Direct Support staff.
If you or anyone you know requires support services for an adult with disabilities, please contact our In-Home Supports Team to get the help you need.
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Continue reading below to learn Connie and Precious' story.
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The following staff are available to provide services to your loved one with disabilities:
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Staff Availability: Saturday, Sunday
6 PM - 11 PM
Staff Gender: Male
Location: Somerset, NJ
(Available to work in Middlesex or Somerset County)
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Staff Availability: Saturday, Sunday
10 PM - 10 AM
Staff Gender: Male
Location: Elizabeth, NJ
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Staff Availability: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
7 AM - 3 PM
Staff Gender: Female
Location: Somerset, NJ
(Available to work in Middlesex or Somerset County)
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Staff Availability: Monday - Friday
6 PM - 9 PM
Staff Gender: Female
Location: Morris Plains, NJ
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Staff Availability: Monday, Tuesday, Friday
6 PM - 9 PM
Staff Gender: Female
Location: Runnemede, NJ
(Available to work in Burlington or Camden County)
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If you require support services for an adult with disabilities, please reach out to:
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KENNARD WILLIS
Adult In-Home Supervisor
(732) 589-2431
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AJ BIRARDI
Adult In-Home Director
(856) 394-3269
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Artwork & Eggrolls
May 27, 2021; 2:00 PM
Connie and Precious stroll into the Friends of Cyrus office laughing, arms locked together as they introduce themselves.
“Hi, I’m Precious. And this is Connie - do you want to say ‘Hi’, Connie?”
Connie looks over apprehensively at first, but eventually greets me with a warm smile.
“Hi!”
Precious is a full-time Friends of Cyrus caregiver who helps Connie live her most independent life possible. From assisting Connie with everyday life tasks to getting her involved in the community, Precious is there to engage and encourage her every step of the way.
I introduce myself and explain that I want to learn more about their relationship. Precious turns to Connie.
“You wanna go hang out in the park and paint? It’s a beautiful day outside.”
Connie nods her head and the pair spin around toward the exit. I can immediately tell that the connection these ladies share is palpable; a special bond built on love and trust.
With crafts in hand, Precious navigates us to a table at the local park. We sit down and start laying out the supplies. Connie immediately reaches for a canvas while Precious puts some paint on her palette.
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“We do stuff like this all the time. We love to paint, draw, shop - Connie loves to go ‘window shopping.’”
Connie is already hard at work. She starts adding some green stars to the corners of her canvas, then a big pink swirl right in between them. Suddenly, Connie looks up to me.
“Can I have a pen?”
I hand her a pen and she writes her name on the canvas; a sign of a job well done. I ask Connie if she has any other interests. Without any hesitation, Connie blurts out:
“Egg rolls!”
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Precious and I laugh while Connie starts to work on another canvas.
“Saturdays are our ‘Staff Treat Day.’ We go get Chinese food so Connie can enjoy her egg rolls.”
For the past 2 years, Precious has been an important part of Connie’s life. Friends of Cyrus’ services make it possible for Connie to live in the comfort of her home while still getting the help that she needs.
Connie finishes another painting while Precious takes out a bag of chips.
“You hungry, Connie? You want a snack?”
Connie nods happily and starts munching away on some chips. While Precious and I clean off the table, I ask her why she enjoys working at Friends of Cyrus.
“Honestly, taking care of my elders is a blessing. Working at Friends of Cyrus doesn’t even feel like a job. It feels like I’m with my family. I share my interests with her and she shares her interests with me. My #1 priority is making sure she’s okay and taken care of.”
Precious looks over to Connie with a smile. I ask them if they’d like to take a picture to show off their works of art.
As they both look into the lens of the camera, Precious leans in to Connie and says:
“Okay, say ‘Egg roll!’, Connie!”
“Egg roll!”
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Direct Support Professionals
We want to hire you!
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Are you looking for a meaningful and rewarding job that makes a direct impact on the lives of adults with disabilities?
Friends of Cyrus has a number of Direct Support positions available throughout the state of New Jersey.
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Competitive pay rates
dependent on level of experience
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Ocean - Monmouth County
- Wednesday, 8 AM - 1 PM
- Saturday, 8 AM - 1 PM
- Thursday - Sunday, 12 AM - 8 AM
- Sunday - Saturday, 1 PM - 6 PM
Wall - Monmouth County
- Saturday, 10 AM - 4 PM, 4 PM - 9:30 PM
- Sunday, 10 AM - 4 PM, 4 PM - 9:30 PM
Red Bank - Monmouth County
- Friday, 12 PM - 5 PM
- Saturday, 11 AM - 4 PM
Edison - Middlesex County
- Tuesday, 5 PM - 10 PM
- Thursday, 2 PM - 11 PM
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Stay tuned for more stories like this in next month’s issue of "Friends at Home"
If you’d like your loved one’s story featured in our next issue, please contact:
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ROB GRAHAM
Community Outreach Coordinator
(732) 322-0992
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Friends of Cyrus is a Human Services agency that provides community-based residential programs, in-home support services, and day habilitation services to New Jersey’s developmentally disabled adults. Since its inception, Friends of Cyrus has operated with an unwavering mission in mind: to create a haven of lifetime support options for individuals with disabilities. Friends of Cyrus currently supports over 120 adults throughout Burlington and Middlesex Counties with a focus on fostering independence, dignity, privacy, choice, and individuality.
Friends of Cyrus was founded in 2013 by Kamelia Kameli, a veteran in the healthcare industry and the parent of an adult son with autism, and Daren Singhani, the former CEO of a healthcare staffing company. Kameli’s son, Cyrus, was diagnosed with Autism at an early age and inspired the founding of the agency.
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